By Latrice Lewis

Did you know there was a Disability Pride Month? I didn’t, and I was happy to hear about it. July is Disability Pride Month because it marks the ADA’s anniversary and is a time to celebrate and honor the uniqueness of individuals, their talents and skills. Since 1990, the purpose of Disability Pride Month has been to “accept and honor each person’s uniqueness” and “promote visibility and mainstream awareness.” For the disabled community, it is also meant to foster self-acceptance while embracing all disabilities.

Did you know there's a Disability Pride Flag? (above right). Here’s what each color represents:

Black: Mourning for ableism violence and abuse victims
Red: Physical disabilities
Gold: Neurodivergence
White: Invisible and undiagnosed disabilities
Blue: Psychiatric disabilities
Green: Sensory disabilities

Any one of us could become a person with a disability during our lifetime, be it temporary or permanent, which makes it prudent for us to “be intentional with our learning” how to better support and show value to our community members with differing-abilities. It simply makes us better as a society.

How and Why to Celebrate Disability Pride Month

What better way to practice Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, & Belonging, than to find a way for your organization to employ persons with differing abilities. As an employer, research shows that disability inclusion is a proven good business decision.

100% said they experienced a workforce productivity increase after hiring workers with disabilities,
80% said inclusive hiring practices gave them a competitive advantage in their market,
60% said a primary motivator to promoting disability inclusion was to strengthen corporate culture

Why it Works: Success Stories from Employees and Employers

In honor of Disability Pride Month, let’s applaud some of our local employers who have recognized the value of hiring community members with differing abilities: Businesses Making a Difference.